Thursday, May 6, 2010

Bob Wendt- House Designer/Builder "What's the Story on That House"

Located near 67th and Nall in Prairie Village, KS a fine group of three mid-century modern houses was planned for construction at this site, a former apple orchard. The planner,designer and builder was Bob Wendt. To connect some dots, Bob was Don Drummond's first foreman. Educated as an engineer, Bob was fond of post and beam construction., precision was his hallmark. In 1967 he was building this house when Dean Graves, architect FAIA approached and inquired about buying the home and incorporating some of his ideas. To the west of this house on a small culdesac, Jim and Myra Morgan, art collector/gallery owner, bought the mirror image of this house. The homes sit far from the street down a long driveway and many people will remember the monumental sculptures the Morgans displayed in the vacant lot on 67th St. The third house planned for that lot never got built. The lot and Morgan's house were sold after her death a few years ago. Dean and Ginny Graves house. This photo shows the car court featuring stainless steel art.

The stone wall on the right hid the side entry carport, now repurposed as an office, an adjoining garage was constructed. Note the unusual sidewalk aggregate/brick design.

Below you see the door to the office and the garage addition. The original siding is hardwood board and batt, with the batts on end instead their slab sides, very distinctive with great shadow lines.

Rear of house...

Living Room with danish fireplace and semi-circular stone wall...Lots of floor to ceiling windowsprovide natural light and sweeping views of the parklike rear yards.

Bob often used stone aggregate slabs as a dramatic visual effect. This house served the family well for over 40 years and the Graves have recently decided to move. Bob Wendt's work is worth further study and I plan to feature him in an upcoming post...he designed and built some great modern houses during his career. These houses in this post represent the last homes he ever built...